Tour Details
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Starts any day. January to December
12 days from $7395.00Arrive Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Upon arrival in Port Moresby you are transferred to your luxury hotel in this, the capital city of Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is a country of over four million people speaking 700 different languages. Port Moresby is a cosmopolitan city, embracing technology and development while trying to retain the traditional values of its varied population.
Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure to relax after your flight.
Port Moresby & Tufi
Port Moresby is a blend of old and new. Remnants of its colonial days can still be found downtown, while elements of the traditional way of life are maintained in the nearby villages. This morning, your half-day sightseeing tour begins with the Burns Peak Lookout, Fairfax Harbour and Airvos Avenue.
Drive to the Hanuabada stilt village, the city’s original Motu village, then on to Ela Beach and the New Guinea Art Warehouse. See the National Museum and Parliament House, which exemplifies the striking harmony of modern architecture and traditional design. It’s constructed in the style of a Sepik River Haus Tambaran (spirit house), and offers a collection of impressive carvings, mosaics and murals from artists and craftsmen from across the country. Next, view a wonderful array of local, exotic plant species at the lush Port Moresby Nature Park, the Bomana War Cemetery, then make stops at a handicraft market and the fresh food Waigani Market.
Your sightseeing tour ends at the airport in time for your afternoon flight to Tufi, located on the northeast coast. Upon arrival in Tufi you are escorted to your resort, where you may enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you’ll choose to snorkel or explore on one of the stunning beaches nearby.
After dinner, watch a traditional cultural performance. (B,D)
Tufi
Tufi is known as the “Fjordland of Papua New Guinea.” This morning, travel by boat into one of the remote areas to meet with local tribesmen and learn about their culture. At the fjord entrance local villagers adorned in traditional dress invite you on an expedition via outrigger canoe. Travel up river, deeper into the fjord where the tribesmen believe spirits and sorcery run wild.
Reaching the end of the fjord, disembark your canoe to follow the villagers on a guided walk through the rainforest to a sacred area. Learn how to make sago, a food staple extracted from the sago palm. Discover how the tribe employs locally-sourced materials to maintain their traditional lifestyle, including baskets woven from various river plants that are used to catch fish and gather native foodstuffs. You are also taught about bush medicines, fire-making, mat-making, and traditional tattooing.
Travel back out of the fjord on your outrigger canoe to board a boat for the short cruise back to your resort. (B,L,D)
Tufi to Port Moresby
This morning, enjoy a relaxing two-hour fjord cruise. Gaze upon the steep 500-foot cliffs that seem to plummet into the sea, and admire the beautiful flora and fauna. The waters around these tropical fjords are clear and calm, a scuba diver’s paradise. Coral outcrops are abundant with fish such as tuna, mackerel, barracuda, white tip and black tip reef sharks, hammerheads and rare white hammerheads. Turtles, manta rays and eagle rays can also be seen cruising by. Enjoy a swim or simply relax on board.
In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Port Moresby where you are escorted to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B,L)
Port Moresby to Rabaul (Kokopo)
Depart Port Moresby early this morning on your flight to Rabaul (Kokopo) on the island of New Britain. Upon arrival you are escorted to your resort overlooking the harbor. Enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure, relaxing after your early start to the day.
After lunch, a harbor cruise will provide an up-close look at both the Vulcan and Tavurvur volcanoes. Cruise into Simpson Harbour, one of the deepest ports in the world. Pass by the “Blue Lagoon" and circle the "Beehives," two remarkable rock formations set in the middle of the harbor.
Arrive at Matupit Island, which bore the brunt of Mt. Tavurvur’s last eruption. Travel to the base of the volcano to watch as the men of Matupit dig for megapode eggs through several feet of volcanic ash. When the Tavurvur and Vulcan volcanoes erupted in 1994, the region was covered by up to seven feet of heavy ash.
Your cruise continues to Big Pigeon Island, a nature reserve and host to spectacular marine life. Admire the beauty of the island and take time to relax and enjoy world-class snorkeling.
Arrive back at your resort by late afternoon. (B,L)
Gazelle Peninsula
During today’s full-day tour of the Gazelle Peninsula, discover the history of East New Britain. Start with a visit to the Bita Paka War Cemetery, the resting place of more than 1,100 Commonwealth servicemen from World War II. Visit the Kokopo War Museum, which hosts an extensive range of war relics and reminders of the Japanese and German occupation of East New Britain. Next, visit the Japanese Barge Tunnel, part of a system of 435 miles of underground passageways that kept Japanese craft hidden from detection by the Allied Forces.
In Rabaul, tour Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker, the underground command post of a key figure in the Japanese military during World War II. Also visit the historic New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum.
Next, travel to some magnificent natural hot springs before visiting the Volcano Observatory. Next it’s on to a former Japanese submarine base, where you can snorkel in the waters of the Pacific Ocean amidst a plethora of tropical fish.
Arrive back at your resort in the later afternoon. (B,L)
Duke of York Islands
The Duke of York Islands is a group of islands that make up part of the Bismarck Archipelago. Crowned with pristine white sand beaches, the surrounding island waters are a magnificent deep aqua blue. First sighted by the British navigator Philip Carteret in 1767, the islands became an important 19th century trading post.
Explore the islands on a full-day excursion to view historical sites, visit local villages, and snorkel or swim in the tranquil waters. (B)
Rabaul to Kavieng
Enjoy your morning at leisure. Relax on the beach or partake in optional activities, including snorkeling, fishing, bird-watching, or take a tour of the nearby village.
This afternoon you are transferred to the Rabaul airport for your flight to Kavieng on the island of New Ireland. Upon arrival you are escorted to your deluxe accommodations — traditional bungalows designed to blend into their tropical surroundings.
This evening relax over dinner at the resort. (B,D)
Kavieng
After a sumptuous breakfast, take a 20-minute boat ride to begin your full-day drive along the stunning, coastal Boluminski Highway. Visit the largest tree house in the world, then, stop at Poliamba Plantation to learn how vegetable oil is made. In the village of Laraibina, visit Cathy’s Eels, an eel farm set next to a freshwater stream. These silky smooth creatures can grow up to 4 feet in length, and your welcome to hand-feed and pet them.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Fissoa River with time for a swim before continuing to your last stop, the village of Libba. Here you meet malagan master carver, Ben Sisia and learn about this unique style of carving in which one figure is intricately interwoven with another.
Arrive back at your resort in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Kavieng
Swim and snorkel in the beautiful tropical waters along the reef surrounding the island this morning.
After lunch at the resort, enjoy time at leisure before attending a Sing-Sing performed by people from Tigak Island. Watch as the group, dressed in bilas (traditional costumes), energetically performs tribal songs and dances that relate the tales of their history, traditions, and legends. The rhythm and color of the dancers is mesmerizing as they whirl to the sound of beating drums. (B,L,D)
Kavieng to Port Moresby
Depart Kavieng on the morning flight to Port Moresby where you are escorted to your hotel.
Enjoy the rest of the morning at leisure. After an early lunch at the hotel, embark on your choice of two afternoon tours. The Urban Village Tour visits a peri-urban village community where you learn about the history of the Motuan people, view a typical family home and see traditional Motuan dress. You also learn about their methods of tattooing. Alternatively, the WWII History Tour visits important wartime points of interest. During World War II, Port Moresby was coveted by both sides wanting to control of the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean. The city was transformed into a large military camp which accommodated tens of thousands of troops, and was the only town of any significant size left standing in Papua New Guinea by the end of the war. (B)
Depart Port Moresby
Enjoy time at leisure until you are transferred to the Port Moresby airport for your flight home or to your next destination. (B)
Airways Hotel, Port Moresby
The Airways Hotel is ideally located with immediate access to both the business area and shopping. The hotel offers spectacular views of the airport, Owen Stanley Range and the Coral Sea. This modern hotel has a light decorating touch with natural wood and pastel colors, glass and art objects. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, licensed bars and restaurants, coffee shop, casino bar and night club. There is also an outdoor pool, sauna, tennis court, tour desk, gift shop, and secretarial and business center. Your accommodation features air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, ISD/STD phones, Cable TV, internet access, in-room safe, and 24 hour room service.
Tufi Resort, Tufi
Tufi Resort PNG is a personalized boutique resort – a hidden oasis nestled atop a breath-taking fjord, with 180º panoramic views of the sea, fjords and mountains. This resort is a place that makes the outside world and all its daily stress seem a million miles away. Located in Oro Province and only 129 kilometers (80 miles) east of Kokoda, Tufi Resort is the perfect place to rest the weary body after the challenges of the Kokoda or Black Cat Trail. The deluxe bungalows have polished timber floors and the walls are lined with traditional woven material. All the creature comforts are available, including insect screens, 24-hour electricity, air-conditioning, hot water, bedroom with en suite bathroom, bar fridge, coffee and tea making facilities. Most bungalows also have verandas overlooking the Coral Sea or Tufi fjord.
Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, Kokopo
Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort is the only Resort located in the heart of Kokopo town on the island of East New Britain near the former town of Rabaul. Rabaul was devastated in the twin volcanic eruptions of 1994, and since that eruption, Kokopo has become the commercial capital of East New Britain. Kokopo is a developing town with amenities such as banks, supermarkets, a post office, shops, a golf course, churches, and a vibrant local produce market. The resort it just minutes away from the center of town.
Lissenung Island Resort, Kavieng
Lissenung Island Resort prides itself on supporting the local communities. They purchase the vast majority of produce for meals at the local markets or from the locals directly. Almost daily, fishermen and other neighbors paddle over in their dugout canoes to sell their wares, which ensures that the seafood and fruits are as fresh as possible. There are four bungalows spread out over the island, giving guests plenty of privacy. Three of the bungalows house two rooms, each with its own en suite bathroom. The last bungalow is a one-room bungalow and uses the share facilities, which are located approximately 20m away. As the island is only 400 x 100m (450 x 110yd), all bungalows are ocean-front. The bungalows are built in traditional style and blend into their surroundings. The walls are made from woven bamboo, one side of the roof is thatched (Sago Palm leaves), ans the other side has corrugated iron to collect the rainwater to use as the water supply. Although the shower water is not heated, the warm environment (28° Celsius/83F) usually ensures a pleasant water temperature.